Trump pledged US support for Israeli strikes on Iran if talks fail, report says
President Donald Trump told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in December that Washington would back Israeli strikes on Iran's missile program should nuclear negotiations collapse, CBS News reported. Discussions now focus on logistical support including aerial refueling and overflight permissions, as a second round of US-Iran talks convenes Tuesday in Geneva.
US President Donald Trump assured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a December meeting that Washington would support Israeli military action against Iran's ballistic missile program if diplomatic efforts fail, according to a CBS News report citing multiple sources familiar with the discussions. The revelation comes as American and Iranian delegations prepare for a second round of indirect negotiations Tuesday in Geneva, with Omani mediation continuing.
Logistical Planning and Regional Complications
Discussions in Washington have reportedly shifted from questioning whether Israel could conduct such strikes to examining how the US might facilitate the mission through technical and diplomatic means. Proposed support includes aerial refueling capabilities to extend Israeli aircraft range and the complex challenge of securing overflight permissions from regional nations. Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have indicated they would not permit use of their airspace for strikes against Iran, complicating operational planning.
Military Buildup and Diplomatic Signals
The report emerges amid significant US military reinforcement in the region, with the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group already deployed and the USS Gerald R. Ford preparing to join. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated Sunday that Trump "prefers diplomacy" on Iran, noting that envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are traveling for "important meetings" while acknowledging the outcome remains uncertain. The parallel tracks of intensified military posture and renewed negotiations reflect Washington's dual approach to the Iranian nuclear and missile programs.
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